The 9 Best BBQ Spots In Nashville 2024 - Nashville - The Infatuation (2024)

photo credit: Casey Irwin

Nashville might play second fiddle to Memphis when it comes to barbecue in Tennessee, but there are still great smoked meats around these parts. Unlike Kansas City, North Carolina, Texas, and our neighbors to the west, Nashville doesn’t have a specific BBQ style, besides focusing on smoked pork. Still, you’ll find all types of pitmasters here doing some serious work on protein. And if there’s banana pudding on the menu, you’re required by Tennessee law to order it. Okay, not really, but you should get it anyway.

THE SPOTS

Shotgun Willie’s recently opened in Madison, and it’s our pick for the best barbecue in the Nashville area right now. The Texas-style barbecue here is so good, we’re willing to travel outside the technical city limits for it—especially for the ribs, which always seem to be sold out. Once you get to the front counter, place an order for slow-smoked American wagyu brisket, Texas hill country sausage, or those elusive (and incredibly tender) salt and pepper ribs. Throw in a few sides like the delightfully puckery dill potato salad and some of the finest baked beans in the city. Expect a line on weekends that occasionally stretches out the door. And if you’ve got kids in tow, Shotgun Willie's has one of those coin-operated mechanical bulls they can ride for a quarter. And if you wanna give it a go, no judgment here either.

If heading out to Madison isn’t in the cards for you today, your next best option for killer ribs within Nashville city limits is Edley’s. The meat is fall-off-the-bone tender, and the dry rub leaves a pleasantly peppery sting in its wake. There are several locations around the city, but the 12 South has some prime people-watching, and it’s right near Christie Cookie Co. in case you want dessert. The covered patio will give you some breathing room from the line and crowds inside, and it’s a great place to enjoy the aforementioned ribs, some pulled pork nachos, and a damn fine Bushwhacker with a group of friends from out of town.

If you’re looking to get away from the touristy crowds near Broadway, the Gulch is … not the place to do it (you can thank a certain winged mural for that). Still, it's worth checking out Peg Leg Porker for some of that pulled pork. It’s really a thing of beauty, especially if you order the tender protein as a sandwich, slathered with creamy slaw. It’s also worth trying their yardbird chicken, with its smoky and sweet seasoning, that strikes a satisfying balance between the crispy skin and tender meat. The smoked green beans, mac and cheese, and barbecue beans are the best sides here—just be sure to wrap your meal up with some of Peg Leg’s thick and creamy banana pudding for dessert.

Peg Leg Porker and Bringle’s Smoking Oasis couldn’t be more different, even though they’re owned by the same team. Bringle’s in the Nations feels more like a local hang, one that gets packed during football season thanks to its outdoor astroturf seating area and multiple ginormous television screens. On any given Sunday (or any day, really), you’ll find dogs and kids sharing the space with sports fans camped out at one of the picnic tables. And on those tables, they’re sharing Bringle’s show-stealing smoked pastrami (something you won’t find on Peg Leg’s menu), West Texas-style brisket, and smoked prime rib along with an excellent version of cowboy beans and street corn. Paired with a beer on tap or frozen co*cktail, it’s exactly the type of place where you’ll forget that tomorrow is Monday.

There are a few Martin’s scattered around town, but the downtown location is the original and the best. And that’s a very good thing when you’re doing the obligatory downtown visit with the fam and need an alternative to hot chicken. Order at the counter and make sure you include the sliced brisket (cross your fingers it hasn’t sold out), pulled pork, mac and cheese, and hoecakes. There’ll be a bunch of different sauce bottles on your table, but you don’t really need those—the barbecue stands on its own. And if you happen to catch Martin’s on a day when there’s live music on the schedule, it feels like quintessential Nashville.

Ask an old-school Nashvillian about their favorite place for brisket, and there’s a 99% chance they’ll say Jack’s—it's been hanging around Broadway since 1989. The Trinity Lane location has better food and less crowds, though. Naturally, you should order the brisket, but don’t overlook the Tennessee pork shoulder—its nicely smoked and shredded to juicy, tender bits. Go ahead and sample each of the homemade sauces, like the mayo-based Music City or the Texas sweet hot which has nabbed Jack’s a few awards. And make sure the cornbread and mac and cheese are in the mix, as both live up to proper Southern standards.

This BBQ food truck turned brick and mortar now has a permanent spot at the Marina at Nashville Shores. It’s connected to Miss Zeke’s Juke Joint, a place where water-logged lake rats and blues fans break bread (or, ribs) while listening to screaming guitar solos. Because it turns out, Papa Turney is an actual person who doesn’t just turn out excellent hickory smoked proteins, he can also break it down on stage with a guitar—especially during the Wednesday and Saturday jam sessions at Miss Zeke’s. And that’s a great time to round up some friends for some hearty pulled pork sandwiches, meaty ribs, homemade baked beans, and a slice of pecan pie.

At Ooh Wee’s, you can find incredible barbecue chicken legs for only $2. But that's not the only reason to swing by this bright blue food truck in North Nashville. Everything here tastes like it’s straight from the backyard smoker—simple, unpretentious, and homemade. So, when you hear Uncle Roy’s on the grill again after burning all the sausages at the last family party, just come here to pick up a slab of smoked ribs, a couple of pounds of pulled pork, and some wings so you can finally have a successful summer BBQ where nobody will go hungry. Get one of the warm and crispy fried handpies as your payment for saving the family cookout. Not all heroes wear capes, but they definitely deserve a handpie.

Tex’s in South Nashville isn’t one of the bigger names in town. But one look at their saloon-like exterior, the shed piled high with wood, and all the western gear inside, and you know it's going to be legit. And it is. They have a reasonably priced and consistent menu of brisket, pork ribs, and other expected meats served cafeteria-style, along with a zesty rendition of jalapeño cowboy beans and turnip greens. The barbecue bologna here is the dark horse, though. Get it as part of a combo plate and throw in some homemade cobbler for dessert.